The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-11-11
cor oe1EsBY,s Dsc1sIox
He Commutes the Sentences ~ Tielden aat
schwab 70 Life Inprlpennent.

| He Commutes the Sentences sf Hlelden and
| schwab 70 Life Inprinsnnent.
SpRNaP1EID. Nov. 10. The nnouncemen
Of thu Goyernor's sdeeiaiaH I'd Rto Anarchist
case. committing the sentences Of Fieiden and
Schwab, spread like wildGre this evening, and
the greatest excitement naturally prevailed.
Much speculation had been INDUCED in during
the day, and since noon the impression had
| been prevalent that the sentence Of Fielden
| and Schwab would be committed. and possibly
that OF Spies or Parsons. Tho decision can
not be said to have been by any means q sur
prise here. and 1t is no exaggeration to say that
the Governors action meets with general up
prevail. The followngi Is the text Of the decision:
STATE OF ILLINOIS EXECUTIVE OFFICE
SpRiSGYIELp Nov. 10, 1887.
On the 10th day Of August 1880 in the Cook county
Criminal Court August Spies, Albert r. Parsons Samuel
Feiden, Michael schwsh Adolph Fischer George Engs
and Louis Lngg found guilty by the verdict Of the
jury and aferward sentenced to DO hanged for the
| der of Matthias j. Dekan
An appeal was taken from such finding and sentence
to the Supreme Court Of the State That court upon
final hearing and after mature elaboration unanimous
y affirmed the judgment Of the court below The
now comes before by petition Of tho defendants for
| consideration rs Governor OF the State
| II the letters OF Albert Parsons Adolph Fischer
| George Bngei. and Louis Lngg demanding "uncondi.
tional release or as they eSpressis liberty DEATH
and protesting in the language against mercy
or communication OF the sentence pronounced against
them can be considered petitions pardon could 1t be
granted which might imply guilt whatever upon the
part Of either Of them would not be such vndcation
they demand.
Executive upon the grounds insisted upon
by tho four abovenamed persons could in proper
sense be deemed exercise of the constitutional power
to grant repreves communications, and pardons unless
based upon the belief part OF their entire limo
cence Of the crime Of which they stand convicted
careful consideration Of the evidence In the record
of the trial Of the parties well OF all alleged and
claimed for them outside of the record, has failed
produce upon my mind any impression tending i'm.
peach the verdict OF tho Jury the Judgment Of the
court of the Supreme Court ans ming the guilt
Of al! these parties Satisfied, therefore, their
guilt am precluded from considering the question Of
Communication OF the sentences OF Albert X, Parsons.
Adolph Fischer. George EngeL and Louis Lingg to I'M
prsonment in tho peuentiary as they enphatcaly de-
clare they will not accept such communication
Samuel fielden Michael schwab and August Spies
unite In petition for Executive cemency." Fielden
and schwab in addition present separate and supple
mentary petitions for the Communication Of their SEN
tences- While, said above satisfied of the guilt
OF all the parties found by the verdict Of the jury
which was sustained by tho Judgments of the courts
most careful consideration OF the whole subject leads
TO the conclusion that the sentence of the law Sam
uel fielden and Michael schwab may be modified
each OF them in the interest Of humanity without
doing violence to public justice. And to the said
Samuel fieden and Michael Schwah the sentence is
imprisonment IN tne Tor
As TO all the other above named defendants do not
feel justified in interfering with the sentence Of the
court While would gladly have come to different
conclusion In regard to the sentence OF defendants Au
gust Spies Adoph Fischer George Enge Albert r. Par.
and Louis Lugg regret say that under the sol
emn sense OF tho obligations of my office have
unable to do 30. RicHARD J. 0GLEsBr Governor.
The following Is a copy OF the instrument
officially committing the sentences Of Fielden
and Schwab:
STATE ILLINOIS, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
Richard Oplesby Governor or IunoS to me ShertD or
Cook County:
Greeting: Whereas Samuel Fie!don and Michael
schwab convicted at the June A. D. 1885, of
the Criminal Court OF Cook county OF the crime Of
der, and were sentenced therefor to be hanged and
Whereas II has been presented to mo by divers good
citizens OF said county that said Samuel Felden and
Michael schwab 1T and proper subjects for Exeeu
tive clemencyi
Now, know ye that Richard J. oElesby Governor OF
Illinois by authority in vested by the Constitution OF
this State do by these presents the
OF the said Samuel Fieldsn and Michael schwab i'm
prisonment in the penitentAry for life.
In testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and
cause to DO adixed the great seal OF State
Done at the city OF Springfield this tenth day Of No.
vember in the year Lord thousand eight hun
dred and eighty and OF the Independence OF the
United s.ates the one hundred Aad twelfth
f. J. DGLtSur, Governor.
!.hsgT D. DEAEbL Secretary Oi siate.
Since the public announcement OF the de-
cision, the Governor has remained In his study
at the Mansion. and is engaged this evening In
49, -. ga.